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Biography
Hello! My name is Cassandra Harrell. I am your Soul-Food-Advisor and this is My Biography, My Story: I learned the art of cooking from my Big Mama growing up in West Tennessee. The love and passion continued throughout my childhood and today I have truly found my niche in preparing soul food cuisine. I made my first southern fried chicken at 9, baked my first peach cobbler (with homemade crust) at 13, and from then on I have been cooking ever since. Over the years, the more soul food I made, the more I wanted to make. I thought about soul food all the time. I became addicted to making soul food. Born and raised in Halls, Tennessee, a small town in Lauderdale County, I began tempting palates with my southern influence when I owned an award winning soul food restaurant and catering business. I also taught cooking classes on preparing great soul food cuisine.
During my years in catering and food services, we received rave reviews, numerous features in newspapers, and interviews on television segments. We served up homemade favorites to thousands of loyal customers from hickory-smoked meats, and zesty cole slaw, to succulent macaroni and cheese and tantalizing desserts, morning 'til night. Our Sunday buffet was also a tremendous hit as customers literally lined up for authentic soul food. One of my most rewarding experiences was serving eventgoers during national conventions and trade shows, annual festivals, sporting events, and ground-breaking ceremonies. Among our top sellers were the hickory smoked barbecue, southern fried chicken, collard greens, and old-fashioned peach cobbler. I wouldn’t ever imagined that the dishes that I first made as a youngster, would be a staple throughout my lifetime of soul food cooking. Over the summer, I sponsored a youth training and development program to teach youth how to operate a business and to learn first hand how to conduct themselves in a business environment. For these efforts, our company was presented an award from the Center for Teaching Entrepreneurship. In a previous life I was a freelance writer and reporter, co-authored two books, and wrote a newsletter column on book publishing. I have a unique voice and a witty personality. I am easy going, super friendly, enjoy life and love meeting people. I am married to Earl with one son and two lovely granddaughters. Oh, by the way, did I mention, I love soul food!
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